Archery goes back thousands of years but today's equipment has made remarkable advances. Selecting a bow depends on a variety of factors. But the tried-and-true advice is to find something that fits your ability and needs.

An eccentric system on a typical compound is made up of a string, one or two wheels (or cams) and two harnesses

This system resembles a teeter-totter, with the harnesses and strings moving to balance two kids of unequal weight. This then makes it easier to pull and keep the bow's limbs flexed at full draw.

A speed wheel helps you accomplish this action faster

Beginners may benefit from a two-wheel system because it helps improve accuracy with less tuning

The cam also controls how quickly you get up to the full draw cycle and how much energy is stored

Types of cams

Soft cam

A soft cam allows you to pull back in a softer, smoother fashion

This helps you aim better, a plus whether you're target shooting or hunting game

It also gives less energy to the shot

Aggressive cam

If you plan on using your bow for hunting you should consider an aggressive cam

This provides more energy in the draw cycle that provides valuable penetration for your arrow, which may help you greatly on marginal hits

Single cam

Offer a big advantage over two cam bows

A two cam bow relies on both cams staying in synch

A number of factors from stretching over time to heat can affect this, which will then lead to poor arrow flight

The single cam bow has nearly eliminated the problem with stretching. Most will stay tuned forever.

If you plan to use your bow for hunting, single cams are also considered quieter

Limb material and style

Standard/Split

Today's limbs come in either a standard or split configuration

The standard limb has been around a long time. This basically is a one-piece construction that is often laminated or molded.

Split limbs are relatively new and are, as the name suggests, two pieces

There are two advantages in this construction

Lightens the weight of the bow

Usually quiets the bow

Carbon/Fiberglass

Carbon/Fiberglass limbs are the preferred choice of most compound bow manufacturers

This mixture gives you greater flexibility and strength while keeping the bow's weight down

Types of risers

Risers, the part of the bow that you grip, come in two primary versions--flex or reflex. The main difference is how the hands are positioned to the bowstring. A reflex riser is slower but is more forgiving to shoot.

Riser materials

Cast aluminum

This is simply a riser made from aluminum poured into a specially designed mold

Machined aluminum

Machined risers are much more practical to manufacture and have become very popular

The advantage is that the machined riser can be anodized, which means the paint will wear a lot better than that on a cast handle

Magnesium

Magnesium risers are heavier than machined aluminum risers but they are cheaper to make and usually quieter

There are a number of factors involved in determining which bow is right for your hunting style, size and strength.

Speed

Measuring speed

How quickly an arrow flies to its target depends on several factors, but it's important to understand speed first

The Archery Manufacturers Association (AMO) tests each bow set at 60 pounds for a 30-inch draw using a 540-grain arrow. This then lets you compare the relative speed of the arrow of various bows. For example, an AMO speed of 235 means the arrow is propelled at 235 feet per second.

The International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) also began measuring speed but uses different conditions, namely a lighter arrow, so IBO speeds are much higher

Most bow manufacturers will list both AMO and IBO speeds for comparison

The importance of speed

Speed is critical in one primary area--it flattens trajectory. The faster the speed, the less drop over the same distance.